How long is a Colombian public-service driving licence valid?

Three years for drivers under sixty and one year for drivers over sixty (Article 22 of Ley 769 de 2002, as amended by Article 197 of Decreto Ley 019 de 2012).

What do I need to renew it?

A new physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness test, and no outstanding final traffic fines, which is checked in RUNT (Articles 22 and 23).

CO · Expiry & renewal tracking

Never let a driver's licence expire unnoticed

A Colombian public-service driving licence is valid for three years if the driver is under sixty and one year if older (Article 22 of Ley 769 de 2002, as amended by Decreto Ley 019 de 2012). Renewal requires a new fitness test and no unpaid traffic fines; driving on an expired licence is fined (Article 131).

Driving licences for public-service vehicles are valid for three years for drivers under sixty and for one year for drivers over sixty. Private-service licences are valid for ten years for drivers under sixty, five years for people between sixty and eighty, and one year for those over eighty (Article 22 of Ley 769 de 2002, as amended by Article 197 of Decreto Ley 019 de 2012).

Licences are renewed by passing a new physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness test, after a check in the RUNT system that the person is up to date with payment of final traffic fines (Article 22). Renewal is requested from any traffic authority or authorised public or private body, and processing may not take more than 24 hours once the documents are accepted (Article 23, as amended by Article 198 of Decreto Ley 019 de 2012).

A public-service licence also requires the holder to be at least eighteen and to pass the theory and practical driving test for public-service vehicles; public-service drivers must receive training and obtain certification in the subjects set by the Ministry of Transport (Article 19 of Ley 769).

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At a glance

Public service	3 years if the driver is under 60; 1 year if over 60 (Article 22)
Private service	10 years if under 60; 5 years between 60 and 80; 1 year if over 80 (Article 22)
To renew	New physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness test and a RUNT check that fines are paid (Article 22)
Where	Any traffic authority or authorised public or private body (Article 23)
Processing time	Up to 24 hours once the documents are accepted (Article 23)
When it is not renewed	While a sanction on holding the licence remains in force or the holder has unpaid final traffic fines (Article 23)

Validity periods follow Article 22 of Ley 769 de 2002 as worded by Article 197 of Decreto Ley 019 de 2012.

Who is responsible?

Renewal is requested from a traffic authority or authorised body (Article 23) and requires the holder to pass a new physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness test and to be up to date with traffic fines (Articles 22 and 23).

If the deadline passes

Driving a vehicle with an expired driving licence is an offence punished with a fine (Article 131, item B.2, of Ley 769 de 2002). In addition, the licence is not renewed until the holder has no outstanding final traffic fines (Article 23).

When a person counts as clear of fines

For traffic procedures, a person is clear (a paz y salvo) when they have no offences or when one of these applies: they have served the sanction imposed; three years have passed since the offence without the traffic authority serving a payment order; or they signed a payment agreement and are up to date with the agreed instalments (Article 23, as amended by Article 198 of Decreto Ley 019 de 2012).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each driver as a record and enter the expiry date shown on their driving licence; for public-service drivers over 60, the licence is valid for one year.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
The driver can upload the renewed licence through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person, such as the fleet coordinator; if a licence expires, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a Colombian public-service driving licence valid?: Three years for drivers under sixty and one year for drivers over sixty (Article 22 of Ley 769 de 2002, as amended by Article 197 of Decreto Ley 019 de 2012).
What do I need to renew it?: A new physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness test, and no outstanding final traffic fines, which is checked in RUNT (Articles 22 and 23).
How long does renewal take?: Processing may not take more than 24 hours once the documents are accepted (Article 23).
What if I drive with an expired licence?: It is an offence punished with a fine (Article 131, item B.2, of Ley 769).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 3, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each driving licence, public service (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each driving licence, public service (Colombia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.